Study suggests water system could benefit from developer’s improvements

Engineers say a couple of improvements to the
Newport water system not only will allow commercial and residential
development in neighboring Howe Twp., but also fix the beleaguered water
system.

Others aren’t so sure.

A water feasibility study, commissioned by
developers, was unveiled at the Dec. 5 water authority meeting and
presented to Newport Borough Council as a courtesy the following
evening.

The study examines development
possibilities along the Route 34 corridor in Howe Twp., the amount of
water that would be needed to enable such development and ways to meet
that need.

Max Stoner of Glace Associates explained
that commercial development is proposed at a property known as the
Schreiber farm behind the Newport Plaza and at an area known as the
Fortenbaugh tract. Recent rezoning in an area behind the PPL building,
known as the Fickes tract, will allow for residential development.

Stoner noted that there is interest in other tracts in the corridor, as well.

The two developments will use about 60,000
gallons of water per day, increasing to 160,000 within five years. For
the purposes of the study, engineers looked at water production
capabilities, assuming that the largest source on that side of the river
were out of service. The study proposed that a 12-inch water main
replace an 8-inch line currently running from the plaza to the river. It
also advocated the construction of a booster station on that line and
an additional 250,000 gallon storage tank.

Finally, the study recommended an
additional groundwater source be explored, as the two remaining wells on
that side of the river would not meet the five-year projection. Adding a
well in Oliver Twp. would provide a backup water source for both sides
of the river, Stoner said.

The cost of the improvements would total
$2 million, which would be borne by developers. In addition to the
installation, the developers would pay tapping fees which, Stoner said,
would total “hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

Not only would there be an influx of cash initially through such fees, but also the new customers would pay quarterly bills.

Stoner emphasized that the projects would
increase the reliability of the entire system, though that concept was
met with skepticism by some. “I would rather have them fix the problem
they have now,” said Mayor Gene Cohick.

Newport resident and school board member
Kermit Harry agreed. “We don’t need that fixed now. You want to fix that
to help those developers,” he said. “You’re not helping our problem by
helping those developers over there.”

But Stoner insisted the development would
help the system. “The authority has to be run like a business. You have
to increase revenue or decrease expenses,” he said.

Decreasing expenses is not likely as costs to run the system rise, leaving an increase in revenue as the only option.

Stoner also noted that the development can assist in the ongoing quest for grants.

On a practical note, Councilman Dave Still
wondered how one well could provide what current customers need as well
as the additional water needed for development.

Councilman Richard Amsler also wondered
why the study would recommend another well when it’s already proven that
the system runs out of water when a drought occurs.

“DEP has told us that we need another
groundwater source. They are telling us that we need another groundwater
source right now,” said council President Robert Campbell.